CBS: US assesses military units for potential Cuba deployment

The US Army Reserve is assessing whether it can provide police, medical and other support units to US Southern Command within the next four months, amid preparations for a possible operation involving Cuba, CBS News reports, citing an internal Army message and US officials.

The document does not mention Cuba or indicate that any units have received deployment orders. However, several US officials said the request is part of ongoing military planning focused on the island. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.

The message asks subordinate Army Reserve commands to assess the availability of six types of formations that could potentially be placed under Southern Command. The units could be “possibly [be] needed in 90-120 days,” according to the document, which requests responses by September 25.

The formations include a combat sustainment support battalion responsible for logistics, an engineer battalion and an expeditionary sustainment command. The request also includes a medical brigade, a forward resuscitative and surgical detachment, and a military police brigade responsible for security, detention and law enforcement missions.

Southern Command declined to comment on specific operational plans.

“Due to operational security concerns, we do not disclose details or comment on US operational movements or potential deployment timelines associated with current or future operations, contingencies, or planning. However, US Southern Command continuously coordinates with the Joint Force to assess a range of potential requirements across its [area of responsibility] in support of assigned missions,” a spokesperson said.

The reported planning comes as the Trump administration increases economic and political pressure on Havana. Earlier this year, US forces conducted reconnaissance operations around Cuba, while military planners separately examined options for possible action against the island, including an Army-led air assault involving thousands of troops.

US officials stressed that the planning did not mean a decision had been made to launch an operation.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly called for major political change in Cuba. Addressing the UN General Assembly, he said his administration was seeking a “fundamental change” on the island and predicted that Cuba’s communist government “will fall,” adding that “freedom will be coming to Cuba.”

Trump has also previously said: “Taking Cuba in some form, yeah,” and later declared: “Cuba's going to be next.”

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has vowed to resist any US attack and accused Washington of “aggression” and “economic warfare.”

By Vafa Guliyeva